Thread: Ever wondered?

I was reading through some of the posts on the beginners forum and I thought to myself.... is it possible to revert back to the technique of a beginner?

I haven't been using a straight razor for too long, only a little over a year, so I remember very clearly the pulling and uncomfortable shaves with the severe razor burn. Heck, I still slice myself occasionally. That being said, I never really had the pulling feeling again after the first week or so (not that I want to or have tried). Isn't it strange how that happens? Nearly killing yourself one day then smooth shaves the next?

kind of like riding a bike, really. except with a bike, it's a lot more embarrassing when you mess up because normally you're in public.

Yeah well, you mess up in private with a cut-throat, but you still carry the shame around in public with you, doncha?! I don't think I would dare risk trying to shave like I did when I was just learning. It frightens me to think about even trying to give it a go.


Mick

I feel pain just reading the opening post.

The first time I rode a bike I fell off. Shaving like a beginner is the same. Just struggling to figure out which way is up and massive irritation and poor shave.

The whole idea in shaving like a veteran is the facility in manipulating the razor and familiarity with your beard.

Originally Posted by ats200

I was reading through some of the posts on the beginners forum and I thought to myself.... is it possible to revert back to the technique of a beginner?

Early in your straight razor journey, yes it is possible, and yes it does happen. Learning to shave with a SR is full of highs, lows and plateaus inbetween. One day you'll hit one out of the park, and the next it will feel like your first shave again. Once you settle in and your technique becomes refined the shaves will level out to consistancy. Not to say that all shaves thereafter will be perfect, but I hope you see my point

I've been lucky in that I've never experienced razor burn from a straight. And I remember marveling at how nicely shaved I was even after the first time. But, the main change in shaving occurred for me sometime after I found out that cutting myself didn't hurt nearly as bad as I thought it would, and pink lather works just as well.

Do I think I could revert? Probably not. I'd have to imagine there was some sort of impact triggered device in the bathroom that would make my head explode if I screwed up in any way. At least, that's how I remember "feeling" the first time I shaved with a SR.

Thinking about reverting to my first few shaves is the fuel for nightmares
I dont have enough styptic pencils to go back !
Enthusiasm and fearlessness are in this case ... ummm .... not compatible
The scars are fading at this point but the memories do not. Nothing like the feeling of a sharp blade sliding into your jaw as you attempt your first ATG from neck up.
I do kinda miss the "newness" of it all though, the brand new old time smells of Williams soap etc.
Good news is the shaves have gotten alot smoother!

Mike

you know guys thanks to all your expert advice when i was startign out i had very few problems other than only having a few hairs to cut. i leanred how to manage the hair as more came in and i became comfortable fast.

I don't know about reverting to beginner. I think renewed trepidation if one is not used to a really, truly sharp edge. I know I've lost a little footing in the DE world when I shaved with a str8 for multiple months, but that was because it's easy and fast, the training wheels nature of the DE led to unsatisfactory results.

I think the particular level of attention the open razor demands makes it far less likely someone would revert to "beginner's", maybe improper habits going from dulled to super-sharp-fresh-off-hones-and-pastes.

It's probably not the same thing, but for the past 3 weeks I have been completely clean shaven (had a mo and goatee for 15 years or so) and that has been like reverting back to beginner level around that part of the face. Sort of.

James.

Its funny I've wondered something similiar... Sometimes I look at myself shaving (only sometimes, usually I'm blindfolded) and I'll be pretty quickly through a first pass in 2 minutes and a second pass in another 3 minutes with a smooth BBS in most areas.

I sort of get what you mean... It feels like my brain has promoted the part of the brain designated to learn str8 shaving and now it works on its own in its little office without as much concentration needed. I think its muscle memory.

Like everyone else, I'll stick to my sting free, nick free, worry free shaves